Digit protector



May 12, 1964 w. M. SCHOLL DIGIT PROTECTOR Filed Sept. 22, 1961 INVENTOR. M4164 $019044 BY %w4Z.

ATTo eNEYs United States Patent 3,132,648 DIGKT PRGTECTGR William M. Schoil, 211-213 W. Schiller Sh, (Ihicago 10, Ill. Filed Sept. 22, lfil, Ser. No. 13990 2 Claims. (t'll. 128-153) This invention relates to improvements in a digit pro tector, and more particularly to a device highly desirable for use as a toe cap for the alleviation of corn or callous tissue forming on the end or sides of a toe, to cushion painful ingrown toenails, and to cushion and relieve pressure from various injuries that may occur to the toe, al.-

soft cushioning material were subject to friction from wearing apparel making it difficult to put on stockings, gloves, and the like, and frequently the result was an irritating pulling, distortion, or slight misplacement of the device. Devices of this character heretofore known were also frequently unsightly, especially if worn so as to be visible to the casual observer, could not be laundered at will, and ofttimes became discolored.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of this invention to provide a digit protector made of soft resilient cushioning material and which is provided with a smooth thin covering that not only protects the cushioning material from excessive wear, but also practically eliminates friction of wearing apparel both when the apparel is put on, and while the device is in use beneath wearing apparel.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a digit protector made of soft cushioning material, covered so as to eliminate friction, and which may be removed and laundered whenever necessary and easily replaced.

Also a feature of this invention is the provision of a digit protector comprising a cot of organic resinous polymer foam having a soft clinging action against the body so the device will remain in place, and which cot is protected and covered by a thin sheath of plastic film telescoped over the cot.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a digit protector comprising a cot of soft foam material having intercommunicating cells therein which is covered by a thin sheath of plastic film or the equivalent having numerous apertures therein whereby the device is ventilative in character when used.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a digit protector which may be made in any desirable color and which is pleasing in appearance even when worn in a visible location.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of an economical digit protector highly comfortable when in use and which is extremely durable.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a human foot illustrating a digit protector embodying principles of the instant invention in operative position on the second toe;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view through the digit protector itself;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view showing the two parts of the digit protector in separated condition;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of a protector embodying principles of the instant invention but of a slightly different construction; and

FIGURE 5 is a central vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line VV of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

As shown on the drawings:

In FIGURE 1 I have shown a digit protector embodying principles of this invention in operative position .on the second toe of a human foot 1. It willbe understood, of course, that the protector in a proper size may be utilized on any toe of the foot, and even on the fingers of a hand, such protectors being made in various dilferen sizes for men, women, and children. The first illustrated embodiment of the instant invention comprises an elongated cup-shaped member or cot 2 which is preferably formed of a foam material having intercornmunicating cells, an organic resinous polymer foam being highlysatisfactory for the purpose, such as polyvinyl chloride foam or. a polyester foam such as polyurethane or an isocyanate foam. Such foams are very light in weight, have an extremely comfortable clinging feel to the skin of a user, are fungus proof, inert to bodily A excretions and various medicines, retain their recovery properties through long life, may be laundered whenever desired, and do not change color. The cot 2 is closed at the forward end as indicated by numeral 3, and has an open rear end 4. I V 7 While the cot 2 is soft and comfortable to the user and remains in position overthe end of a digit without the use of adhesive or the like, by virtue of the clinging action of the material, it alone is not friction proof against articles of apparel. Accordingly, a sheath or covering 5 is placed over the cot 2. This sheath 5 is preferably made of a thin plastic film, such as a vinyl or acetate film. A simple form of making the sheath is to utilize two sheets of the plastic film which are initially separate, and join the two sheets by a heat seal seam indicated at 6 which extends along both sides and across the front end of the sheets to provide a sheath of similar configuration to the cot 2, the sheath also having an open rear end. As seen in FIGURE 2, the sheath may be telescopically associated with the cot 2, by merely drawing it over the cot and if so desired, the sheath may remain loosely drawn over the cot without any direct securement to the cot itself.

The sheath provides a smooth slick outer surface for the cot which substantially eliminates friction from articles of apparel and permits stockings, gloves, and the like to be readily put on or removed without interfering in any manner with the proper disposition of the protector on a digit of the user, and without creating any unwelcome stresses or strains in the protector. Should Ventilation be desired, the sheath may be provided wth numerous small apertures therein as indicated at 7 so that when pressure is applied upon the digit, as in the case of a toe during walking, air will be pumped through the intercommunieating cells of the cot 2 and also through the apertures in the sheath 5.

In FIGURES 4 and 5 I have illustrated a slightly modified form of construction. In some cases it may be desirable to have the sheath secured to the cot to insure rapid and accurate placement of the cot, facilitate bandaging if necessary, and for other reasons. In such case, it

outward curvature 9 of the cot 2, and an inward marginal curvature 10 of the sheath resulting from the initial thickness of the material of the cot 2 and dependent to some extent upon the tension on the sheath at the time the heat seal seam is established. Such a curvature aids in establishing a more intimate fit around the digit at the rear end of the protector enabling bandages to be readily applied, and also easing any aggravation that may occur between adjacent toes or fingers in the vent the shield is pulled clear to the interdigital webs. The curvature also provides a gradual transference of pressure from the abrupt end of the sheath to the intermediate portion thereof, thus tending to avoid any irritation to the body of the user.

As to the cot 2 itself, this may be molded to the desired shape and size, or may be cut to the desired shape from a block of foam and cored to make the necessary hollow to receive the digit. Such shaping may readily be accomplished if the foam is first caused to absorb a quan tity of water, the Water frozen, and the foam cut and cored while in a stilt condition.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided a simple and economical form of rigit protector which is highly eflicient in operation, eifectively cushions an affiiction or injury on the ends or sides of a digit, is pleas ing in appearance, may be removed and laundered at will, and which substantially eliminates any friction with clothing. Further, the device is extremely long lived by virtue of the wear resisting property of the sheath 5, and wear of articles of apparel cannot occur directly against the cushioning element or cot 2.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be elfected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a digit protector,

an elongated preformed cup-shaped member of soft cushioning resilient foam of substantial thickness to receive and cling to a digit therein,

a substantially friction eliminating cup-shaped covering of thin smooth plastic film telescoped over said member and enabling an article of apparel to be put on or removed with respect to the protector freely and without clinging,

said member and covering having an open free terminal end through which any selected digit is receivable,

said foam having intercommunicating cells and said covering having apertures therein for ventilation, and

a heat seal seanr joining said member and said cover around the open free terminal end only thereof. 2. A digit protector as characterized in claim 1 and in which said covering is loosely telescoped over said member elsewhere than at-said heat seal seam.

References fited in' the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,862,026 Levison June 7, 1932 2,653,601 Morrison Sept. 29, 1953 2,712,313 Levy July 5, 1955 2,781,044 Bennett Feb. 12, 1957 2,904,814 Scholl Sept. 22, 1959 2,918,058 Levitt Dec. 22, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,118,793 France June 11, 1956 837,371 Great Britain "June 15, 1960 

1. IN A DIGIT PROTECTOR, AN ELONGATED PREFORMED CUP-SHAPED MEMBER OF SOFT CUSHIONING RESILIENT FOAM OF SUBSTANTIAL THICKNESS TO RECEIVE AND CLING TO A DIGIT THEREIN, A SUBSTANTIALLY FRICTION ELIMINATING CUP-SHAPED COVERING OF THIN SMOOTH PLASTIC FILM TELESCOPED OVER SAID MEMBER AND ENABLING AN ARTICLE OF APPAREL TO BE PUT ON OR REMOVED WITH RESPECT TO THE PROTECTOR FREELY AND WITHOUT CLINGING, 